TV: Baraclough dedicates win to fans

The Steelmen were sensational over both legs, with goals this afternoon coming from Marvin Johnson, Lionel Ainsworth and John Sutton.

It capped a super end to what has been a disappointing season for the Fir Parkers and the sense around Fir Park at the end was one of relief.

‘Well boss Baraclough: “When you get a result like that you have to enjoy it with the fans because we’re all in it together.

[pullquote]They’ve got us over the line as well, it’s been a real team effort, and hopefully now we can strengthen in the summer and get ourselves back to some sort of normality when it comes around, but we’ll be ready.[/pullquote]

“There’s a lot of emotions gone through in the last few weeks and you have to celebrate in some sort of fashion, because it could have been catastrophic for the club to have gone down and had to build ourselves back up from the Championship.

“The boys were absolutely magnificent again, we dealt with an onslaught initially, and then settled into the game and put the chances away when they came.

“You give Rangers credit because Stuart (McCall) and Kenny (Black) have shown so much dignity after both games.”

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Rangers win in pictures

Sunday 31 May 2015

Action pictures from this afternoon’s 3-0 victory over Rangers at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

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Motherwell 3 – 0 Rangers

Sunday 31 May 2015

[tab:Match report]

Phil McGhee Fir Park

Motherwell rounded off an indifferent season with a stunning double win over Rangers for a sensational 6-1 play-off aggregate and ensure their Premiership safety.

Similar to the performance at Ibrox in the first leg, ‘Well contained Rangers for the first half hour before controlling the game and the three second half goals from Marvin Johnson, Lionel Ainsworth and substitute John Sutton erased any faint thoughts of a remarkable Rangers’ recovery.

And while previous end of season celebrations have coincided with European qualification, the Fir Park players and fans thoroughly enjoyed the relief of a fairy tale finale after the final whistle.

Stevie Hammell and Stephen Pearson were both declared fit allowing Baraclough to start with the same eleven and tactical line-up which served ‘Well so superbly at Ibrox.

Before this second leg tie the pre-match debate was on the importance of the first goal and whether Motherwell’s intentions would be to defend their two goal advantage.

With Keith Lasley sitting between two banks of four across the ‘Well half of the pitch, Rangers were given plenty of outfield possession. Apart from a Kris Boyd header which was comfortably held by George Long and volley wide from the recalled ‘Gers striker there were few goal threats.

Having weathered the early pressure from the visitors for the first 30 minutes and amidst a storm of summer hailstones, ‘Well then applied some sustained pressure on Cammy Bell’s goal.

The first threat came when Lionel Ainsworth raced down the right but his low cross along the six yard area was just beyond the inrushing Scott McDonald.

Three minutes later Louis Long, in the opposing box for a corner, played in Lee Erwin who turned and slashed his shot narrowly across thee face of goal.

Motherwell sensed a crucial goal was on the cards and Johnson’s cross found McManus unmarked but his low header was off target.

The first half ended with ‘Well threatening and Johnson came with inches when he accepted a pass from McDonald at the edge of the box before curling a left foot effort wide of the diving ‘keeper and his left hand post.

The all important first goal duly arrived seven minutes after the restart and it was a disaster for the Rangers’ ‘keeper and his side’s slim chances of promotion.

Johnson, whose pace caused problems all afternoon, evaded a couple of tackles as he headed towards the visitor’s box. Although his powerful shot took a wicked deflection off Maruis Zaliukas to spin high in the air, Bell should have dealt with it under his cross bar but the’keeper’s punch sent the ball over his shoulder and into the net.

That effectively killed the tie but it also knocked the stuffing out of the Ibrox side who threw former ‘Well man Lee McCulloch forward to try and rescue something from the game.

While it made little impression on the home goal with Long without a single second half save, the visitor’s rearguard looked exposed and it was no surprise when the Fir Parker’s added a second goal to make sure of a memorable second win over Rangers.

This time Johnson was the architect with a storming 60 yard run from his own half before rolling the ball across the box for Ainsworth to once again drill the ball past Bell to make it 2-0.

‘Well had chances to add a third as ‘Gers committed six players to attack but had to wait until injury time to round off the scoring. Erwin was clipped in the box by Lee Wallace and John Sutton calmly stroked home the resultant penalty for his 13th goal of the season and emphatically secure Motherwell’s win and leave ‘Well fans looking forward to next season in Ladbrokes Premiership.

TV: Laing playing for his future

Sunday 31 May 2015

Louis Laing is playing for his own future as well as Motherwell’s as he bids to finish the off the job against Rangers.

The on-loan Nottingham Forest player was impressive alongside Stephen McManus in the heart of the Motherwell defence as Ian Baraclough’s team won 3-1 at Ibrox in the first leg of the Scottish Premiership play-offs.

Motherwell are looking to retain their 30-year top-flight status on Sunday and Laing could stay at Fir Park if they do so.

Forest looked set to take up a one-year option on the former Sunderland defender’s contract but the dismissal of Stuart Pearce in February – he was replaced by Dougie Freedman – means Laing is in limbo.

The 22-year-old said: “I’m out of contract in the summer so to stay in the league and help the club would be a massive advantage for me having another option next season, because I might like to come back.

[pullquote]I’m not sure what’s happening next season. As far as I know, I am a free agent.[/pullquote]

“I have really loved it here. Would I like to stay? Yes, probably, but you never know what’s going to happen.

“Motherwell is a great club, it’s a great fan base, the manager is fantastic, everyone here is a great guy and I am really enjoying it. First and foremost we need to concentrate on Sunday and stay in the league.”

Laing, who has returned from a groin injury in time for the crucial double-header, added: “Obviously the situation we are in isn’t ideal but last night was the highlight of my career.

“Playing in front of that many people, the pitch was fantastic, and the magnitude of the game was brilliant. I think Sunday is going to be pretty similar and it will be a fantastic, fantastic atmosphere if we stay in the league.

“Playing in front of that many people, some people may have thought that the pressure might have got to us. It’s been said that we can’t play under pressure but we proved that we can, especially in front of their fans, who were fantastic. But I’ve got to take my hat off to the Motherwell fans because I could hear the Motherwell fans over the top of the Rangers fans. They were brilliant and helped us get through the game.

“My ears are still ringing now but I feel refreshed after a good sleep. It’s easy to keep the feet on the ground. We know Sunday is going to be a very, very tough game. We still have a massive job ahead. We just need to defend well, stick to the game plan. The tactics were perfect last night and we go into the weekend full of belief. We can’t go into the game with any complacency.”

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TV: Highlights from Ibrox

Friday 29 May 2015

Extended highlights from Ibrox as a great performance gives Motherwell a 3-1 advantage going into the Second leg of the Play-Off Final.

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TV: Baraclough urges caution

Friday 29 May 2015

Ian Baraclough praised his side after their 1-3 win at ibrox, but cautioned the Play-off Final is far from over.

The Steelmen battled for every ball during a pulsating ninety minutes.

The Claret and Amber men took the lead through a deflected Lee Erwin shot before Stephen McManus headed home Marvin Johnson to give the visitors a 0-2 lead at the break.

Lionel Ainsworth added a third shortly after the break to stun the huge support inside Ibrox.

However, Darren McGregor’s late header will give Stuart McCall’s men hope ahead of Sunday’s return leg. Baraclough was certainly ensuring his players knew there is still a huge job to do.

[pullquote]It’s not going to be easy. No-one in our dressing room is kidding themselves, none of them are celebrating tonight. All the clichés are true – it’s just half-time.[/pullquote]

He said: “It’s not going to be easy. No-one in our dressing room is kidding themselves, none of them are celebrating tonight. All the clichés are true – it’s just half-time.

“But tonight, to a man, the lads were fantastic. We have come here with a game plan, drawing them in and then countering with pace. We did that fantastically well.

“We could have had a couple more but I can’t fault them when they’ve scored three goals away from home.

“They dealt with the crowd and with the magnitude of the situation. We were fantastically calm when Rangers put the pressure on with balls into our box.

“We will have to wait and see if 3-1 is enough. To have a two-goal lead is great but we now have to work even harder than we did tonight to make sure get over the line.”

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Rangers win in pictures

Thursday 28 May 2015

Action pictures from tonight’s 3-1 Play-Off Final first leg win over Rangers at Ibrox.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

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Rangers 1 – 3 Motherwell

Thursday 28 May 2015

[tab:Match report]

Phil McGhee at Ibrox

Motherwell produced their best performance under Ian Baraclough to record their first win at Ibrox since 1997 .

‘Well’s hopes of finding a result which would keep the play-off alive for the second leg at Fir Park on Sunday, were surpassed as first half goals from Lee Erwin and Stephen McManus put the Fir Parkers in the driving seat.

When Lionel Ainsworth made it 3-0 at the start of the second half it sent the small band of ‘Well fans into ecstacy and only a late goal from Darren McGregor dampened their spirits and raised Rangers’ hopes that they can stage a dramatic recovery on Sunday and relegate ‘Well.

Ian Baraclough deployed Lionel Ainsworth and Marvin Johnson in wide positions to check the overlapping runs of Rangers’ full backs but also use their pace and hopefully catch the Ibrox side on the break. And with Scott McDonald dropping back to join Keith Lasley and Stephen Pearson in the middle of the park ‘Well’s intentions to stifle ‘Gers early in the gamewere clear

The 950 ‘Well fans in the far corner were relieved to see Kenny Miller break away from Lasley only to curl his shot beyond George Long’s post.

In the 23rd minute Long produced the first save of the game getting down well to block Nicky Law’s drilled shot from 10 yards.

Motherwell’s reply was a cross from his brother Josh which found Lee Erwin but his tame header was comfortably held by Cammy Bell.

The next effort on goal,though, caused Bell a bit more concern as ‘Well took the lead.

Josh Law was again the provider finding Erwin wide on the right and after dragging the ball into the box the striker tried his luck with an angled left foot shot with Darren McGregor’s outstreched leg sending the ball past his ‘keeper and give Well the upper hand.

It could have been 2-0 minutes later when a Louis Laing header from Ainsworth’s corner seemed netbound until it was deflected past the post

However, it took another great save from Long to block Nicky Clark’s snapshot and deny Ranger’s an equaliser.

That would have brought the Ibrox side right back into the game. Instead a stunning second goal five minutes from half time set ‘Well on their road to an historic victory.

Five minutes from the break Wallace pulled back McDonald to concede a free kick on the right touch line. Johnston curled the ball into a packed box where McManus rose unchallenged to power a header past Bell and silence the 42,000 Rangers’ fans.

Having left the field to a barrage of boos the Ibrox crowd loudly welcomed their side back onto the pitch in anticipation of a second half fightback.

However, any hopes of a ‘Gers recovery were killed within 90 seconds when’Well added a terrific third goal.Pearson nicked the ball in the centre circle before racing upfield. He fed the ball to Erwin who played in Ainsworth who rounded off the move in style smashing the ball past the helpless Bell.

Rangers’ reply was a thumping drive from Haris Vuckic which was turned round the post by Long with another impressive save.

In Final attempt to grab a goal and life-line Stuart McCall then sent on Kris Boyd to partner Miller up front.

Motherwell, though, were confident and calm in possession and looked the Premier side. As Rangers chased the game ‘Well carved through the home defence a had a few more chances which should have produced another goal. McDonald and Johnston curled efforts over the bar before Johnston’s run and cut back set up Ainsworth but from 10 yards only he hammered his shot over the bar when he should have really made it 4-0.

That miss almost proved costly when at the other end when Long had to produce a wonderful relflex save to prevent Boyd snatching a goal with a trademark back post header.

With eight minutes remaining Simon Ramsden replaced the limping Pearson and just before Rangers pulled back a goal that gave them some hope. A floated corner into the six yard area was met by McGregor who headed the ball past Long to raise the decibel levels from the Ibrox stands and set up furious finish.

But as Rangers continued to hoist the ball into the penalty box Laing and McManus in particular stood tall and strong to preserve Motherwell’s two goal lead and hoist them halfway to Premiership safety as the teams prepare for the second leg on Sunday.

7′ | 0-0 | #RFCvMFCWallace gets down the left wing and gets a ball across goal. Thankfully the ball ricochets off Mcmanus to safety.

3′ | 0-0 | #RFCvMFCGood recovery by Law as he gets back to cover Laing who has lost out to Clark inside the box. Wins a goal kick..

Kick-off | #RFCvMFCClark and Miller get the game underway. COYW!!!!!!!

Pre-match | #RFCvMFCHere we go then, both teams just coming out the tunnel….

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TV: McManus up for Play-off spectacle

Wednesday 27 May 2015

Stephen McManus says he relishes the big game atmosphere ahead of Motherwell’s play-off double against Rangers.

The former Scotland International, who was capped on 26 occasions and skippered Scotland, spent seven years playing for Celtic, including Old Firm matches and big European nights.

The 32-year old is well versed in what it takes to get the job done in front of a ruckus crowd and he has encouraged his ‘Well teammates to relish playing at Ibrox in Thursday night’s big clash.

[pullquote]As a player you want to play in the biggest atmospheres, the biggest occasions.[/pullquote]

“It’s massive; a huge game for both teams,” he said.

“This might be the biggest Premiership/Championship play-off there will ever be, who knows? It’s a big stage but as a player, that’s what it is all about. Our fans will be right up for it, there will be passion and it’s great for them as well.

“As a player you want to play in the biggest atmospheres, the biggest occasions.

“As you get older you appreciate that a bit more because you don’t know when your next chance for a cup final will be and this has a feel of that because it’s a pressurised situation.”